Flat-bed knitting machine

Abstract

A flat-bed knitting machine having a needle bed apparatus and an associated carriage apparatus movable longitudinally thereon and having a data processing unit which controls the cams and/or selector units among others and store pattern information in memory and which has an input keyboard is described. To make the input keyboard accessible to the operator of such a machine during observation of the knitting process, yet not have this keyboard hinder access to the essential parts of the machine, the input keyboard is disposed, from the standpoint of the machine operator, at the level of and in an area in front of the needle bed and carriage apparatus in the longitudinal direction of the machine, in front of a transparent cover, which is also movable in the longitudinal direction of the machine, keyboard being movable parallel to and independently of this cover.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A flat-bed knitting machine, comprising: a needle bed apparatus and associated carriage apparatus movable longitudinally on the machine;   cams and selector units; and   a data processing unit for controlling the cams and selector units and for storing pattern information in memory, said data processing unit having an input keyboard dsposed at the level of and in the area in front of the needle bed apparatus and associated carriage apparatus, said keyboard being movable in the longitudinal direction of the machine to any position along the machine and independently of the needle bed apparatus and associated carriage apparatus.   
     
     
       2. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a transparent protective cover movable in the longitudinal direction of the machine, wherein said input keyboard is pivotably secured on the transparent protective cover so that it can be pivoted upward thereby providing full view of the machine through the transparent protective cover.   
     
     
       3. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a transparent protective cover movable in the longitudinal direction of the machine, wherein said input keyboard is movable in front of the transparent protective cover and parallel to and independently thereof.   
     
     
       4. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 3, wherein the protective cover has a plurality of hoods and a plurality of tracks for guiding the movement of the hoods and wherein said input keyboard is disposed in front of said hoods. 
     
     
       5. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 3, wherein the transparent protective cover includes a lower profile section defining a track, an upper profile section defining a track and an at least partly platform-like element having an upper end and a lower end said upper end being guided suspended in the track of the upper profile section and said lower end being guided resting in the track of the lower profile section, and wherein said input keyboard is secured to said at least partly platform-like element. 
     
     
       6. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 5, wherein said at least partly platform-like element has an upper horizontal region defining said upper end, a contiguous inclined region to which said input keyboard is secured, and a lower region continguous with said inclined region, but inclined in the opposite direction thereto, defining said lower end. 
     
     
       7. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 6, wherein at least below said upper horizontal region an intermediate bottom, embodied as a platform, is provided on which at least one control cable rests. 
     
     
       8. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 7, wherein the intermediate bottom extends within the upper profile section and is provided with at least one 90° deflection for the control cable. 
     
     
       9. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 6, wherein said upper horizontal region is embodied in the form of two parallel hollow bars, at least one of which receives at least one control cable. 
     
     
       10. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 9, wherein said upper horizontal region is further embodied to include a transverse element joining said hollow bars, said transverse element extending within the upper profile section and is provided with at least one 90° deflection for the control cable. 
     
     
       11. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 5, wherein the profile sections define movement tracks for the transparent protective cover. 
     
     
       12. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a spring-loaded device for movement guided receiving of a control cable connected to said input keyboard in any position of said input keyboard in the longitudinal direction of the machine.   
     
     
       13. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 12, further comprising: a spool table, and   wherein the spool table includes a guide recess, and wherein the spring-loaded device includes at least one cable deflection roller movably guided longitudinally in said guide recess.   
     
     
       14. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 13, wherein the spring-loaded device includes a carriage to which the roller is secured, said carriage being movably guided longitudinally in said guide recess, and a stationary spring winder connected to the carriage and located on the far side of an end position of said input keyboard. 
     
     
       15. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a transparent protective cover movable in the longitudinal direction of the machine, said input keyboard being movable in front of the transparent protective cover and parallel to and independently thereof;   a spool table including a guide recess; and   a spring-loaded device for movement guided receiving of a control cable connection to said input keyboard in any position of said input keyboard in the longitudinal direction of the machine, wherein:   the transparent protective cover includes a lower profile section defining a track, an upper profile section defining a track and an at least partly platform-like element having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end being guided suspended in the track of the upper profile section and said lower end being guided resting in the track of the lower profile section, said input keyboard being secured to said at least partly platform-like element;   the spring-loaded device includes at least one cable deflection roller movably guided longitudinally in said guide recess, said guide recess being embodied in the upper profile section below the guide track defined thereby.   
     
     
       16. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a spool table; and   a transparent protective cover movable in the longitudinal direction of the machine, said input keyboard being movable in front of the transparent protective cover and parallel to and independently thereof, wherein:   the transparent protective cover includes a lower profile section defining a track, and upper profile section defining a track and an at least partly platform-like element having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end being guided suspended in the track of the upper profile section and said lower end being guided resting in the track of the lower profile section;   said input keyboard is secured to said at least partly platform-like element; and   said upper profile section is embodied at least partly by the associated long side of the spool table.   
     
     
       17. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a spool table;   a separate profile rod facing the underside of the spool table and connected to the spool table; and   a transparent protective cover movable in the longitudinal direction of the machine, said input keyboard being movable in front of the transparent protective cover and parallel to and independently thereof, wherein:   the transparent protective cover includes a lower profile section defining a track, an upper profile section defining a track and an at least partly platform-like element having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end being guided suspended in the track of the upper profile section and said lower end being guided resting in the track of the lower profile section;   said input keyboard is secured to said at least partly platform-like element; and   said upper profile section is embodied at least partly by the separate profile rail.   
     
     
       18. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a spool table;   a profile rail secured to the machine underneath the needle bed apparatus; and   a transparent protective cover movable in the longitudinal direction of the machine, said input keyboard being movable in front of the transparent protective cover and parallel to and independently thereof, wherein:   the transparent protective cover includes a lower profile section defining a track, an upper profile section defining a track and an at least partly platform-like element having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end being guided suspended in the track of the upper profile section and said lower end being guided resting in the track of the lower profile section;   said input keyboard being secured to said at least partly platform-like element; and   said upper profile section is embodied at least partly by the separate profile rail.   
     
     
       19. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim  1, wherein said input keyboard is provided with a display panel. 
     
     
       20. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said input keyboard is provided with a holder for documents. 
     
     
       21. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said input keyboard is provided with a recess for documents. 
     
     
       22. The flat-bed knitting machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said input keyboard is provided with a holder and a recess for documents. 
     
     
       23. A flat-bed knitting machine, comprising: a needle bed apparatus and associated carriage apparatus movable longitudinally on the machine;   cams; and   a data processing unit for controlling the cams and for storing pattern information in memory, said data processing unit having an input keyboard disposed at the level of and in the area in front of the needle bed apparatus and associated carriage apparatus, said keyboard being movable in the longitudinal direction of the machine to any position along the machine and independently of the needle bed apparatus and associated carriage apparatus.   
     
     
       24. A flat-bed knitting machine, comprising: a needle bed apparatus and associated carriage apparatus movable longitudinally on the machine;   selector units; and   a data processing unit for controlling the selector units and for storing pattern information in memory, said data processing unit having an input keyboard disposed at the level of and in the area in front of the needle bed apparatus and associated carriage apparatus, said keyboard being movable in the longitudinal direction of the machine to any position along the machine and independently of the needle bed apparatus and associated carriage apparatus.